“Therefore, I, in the name of my master, the king, do now invest you with this cross; and may you live long to wear this glorious emblem!” A roar of cheers broke forth and resounded through the still and lovely air. The “hoorays” of the blue jackets, led by handsome Bill Green, were heard over all the rest, and Danny Dixon, the picture of a sailor, in his smart and handsome uniform, suddenly began to dance a hornpipe in the excess of his delight.
A mist came before Paul Jones’s eyes. The affection, the respect, and the admiration of the people he had tried to serve was inexpressibly sweet to him, and as he caught sight of “Old Glory,” that floated proudly in the golden sunset light, he could say to his own heart, “I promised to attend that flag with veneration, and I have done it to the best of my power, and without fear or reproach.” Next him stood Dale, his best beloved friend and lieutenant. Paul Jones laid his hand on Dale’s shoulder, and together they watched the inspiring scene.
“My captain,” said Dale, after a moment, “I have a feeling here”—he touched his breast—“which tells me that when the day of conflict is over, and our country takes her stand as the greatest republic upon the earth, you will be ranked first among those who maintained her honor on the seas; and the name of Paul Jones will be linked with so much glory that every American sea officer will envy those who can say with pride, as I do, ‘I served under Paul Jones!’”
THE END.
FOOTNOTES
[1]This was the first flag of the Revolution—a pine tree with a rattlesnake under it, bearing the bold motto, “Don’t tread on me.”
[2]The songs in this story are not original.
[3]Meaning his appointment to command the American ships in foreign waters.
[4]This incident is historically true.
[5]Cooper mentions the peculiar tenderness of Dale’s tone, when, in his latter days, he spoke of his old captain as “Paul.”